Photo: Collected
Khulna Tigers delivered a commanding performance to secure their place in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) play-offs with a comprehensive victory over Dhaka Capitals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday. The victory ended Durbar Rajshahi's hopes of making the play-offs, as they were dependent on Dhaka winning the match.
Khulna outplayed Dhaka in all departments, sealing a convincing win by – wickets. With this victory, Mehidy Hasan Miraz's side finished the league stage with 12 points from 12 matches, claiming the fourth and final play-off spot. Rangpur Riders, Fortune Barishal, and Chattogram Kings had already secured their places in the knockouts. Rajshahi, who also had 12 points from their 12 matches, were left disappointed as Khulna advanced due to a superior net run rate. Dhaka Capitals, meanwhile, ended their campaign in sixth place, winning only three out of their 12 matches.
Dhaka Capitals' batting woes persisted, as they managed only 123 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The lone bright spot in their innings was young opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who scored a well-fought half-century. The left-hander struck 58 off 37 balls, hitting one four and seven sixes. However, he found little support from the other batters, with only three other players reaching double figures. Sabbir Rahman contributed 20 off 17 balls, Liton Kumar Das managed 10, and pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana added 13 runs. The rest of the lineup faltered against Khulna's disciplined bowling attack.
Khulna Tigers utilised seven different bowlers, all of whom claimed at least one wicket. Hasan Mahmud and William Bosisto led the attack with two wickets each, while Nasum Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiq Hasan, Ziaur Rahman, and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Chasing 124 for victory, Khulna Tigers' skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a captain's knock, guiding his team to a comfortable win with 19 balls to spare. Opening the innings, Miraz adopted a composed approach, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 55 deliveries. His innings included five fours and four sixes, demonstrating both patience and power-hitting when required.
Khulna suffered early hiccups as Naim Sheikh and Afif Hossain Dhrubo were dismissed without scoring. However, Alex Ross (22) and William Bosisto (18) provided valuable contributions alongside their skipper. Despite a strong bowling effort from Dhaka's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who claimed 3 for 16 in his four overs, Khulna comfortably reached the target.
With this emphatic win, Khulna Tigers secured their spot in the BPL play-offs, leaving Rajshahi heartbroken. The play-offs now feature Rangpur Riders, Fortune Barishal, Chattogram Kings, and Khulna Tigers, as the battle for the BPL trophy intensifies.
Messenger/JRTarek
